THUMBS UP

Maybe it takes blitz pressure to get QB Aaron Rodgers going. Or maybe it's that his offensive line just performed better. Whatever the case, Rodgers put on what was probably his most impressive day of throwing this training camp. He was hitting with pinpoint accuracy, the crest of which was the blitz drill where the defense is coming from all angles. To start practice, Rodgers threw a couple of beautiful fade routes to TE Jermichael Finley and WR Donald Driver in 11-on-11 action. Then came the blitz drill and Rodgers went to work. With defenders all around him, he got the ball out quickly and accurately, hitting quick hitches and a couple of slants. Then he fired his best ball of the day, a shot 25 yards down the middle of the field to WR Jordy Nelson, who was running a skinny post and would have scored in a game. The pass whizzed past a defender and hit Nelson in stride. A few plays later he scrambled to the left and threw across his body to WR Greg Jennings on a comeback route 25 yards downfield. Finally, Rodgers cranked up a line drive throw that led Nelson perfectly down the left sideline and fit perfectly between the cornerback and safety for a big gain. It was clearly more like the Rodgers who couldn't do anything wrong at the end of last season.

THUMBS DOWN

There's always a risk of injury returning kickoffs and punts and the Packers have to find out how well Randall Cobb can do both, but the double-knee bruise that Cobb suffered against the Cardinals should be a warning sign. Cobb may need to stick to punt returns where he has more space to work and can use his quickness to avoid the first hit. At 5-10, 192 pounds, Cobb isn't slight of build, but he's also not as powerful as 6-foot, 225-pound Alex Green, who might wind up with the kick return job. Cobb isn't afraid of taking the ball into traffic going full speed, but he'll soon learn that patience and good judgment are important when you're not running back size. It's not clear how long Cobb will be out, but every day he's not at practice, he's not getting better at wide receiver, a position where he can contribute this year. Cobb won't get a lot of playing time, but an injury would thrust him into the No. 4 spot and there's bound to be some gimmick plays coach Mike McCarthy designs for the former quarterback. If Cobb plays in another preseason game, he may be limited to punt returns. If the Packers want to preserve him for the season, they'd probably be smart to do it.

INJURY REPORT

RB James Starks, S Brandon Underwood and WR Brett Swain returned to practice.

ODDS AND ENDS

K Mason Crosby was 6 of 6 in field goal attempts, connecting from 28, 33, 36, 44, 46 and 50 yards. Only the 46-yarder was from the right hash; the rest were from the left or the middle.

CB Charles Woodson almost pulled off a Larry Fitzgerald when he snared a pass one-handed, but the ball trickled out of his grasp when he hit the ground.

Offensive line coach James Campen made T.J. Lang go three times in a row at center to end the one-on-one blocking drills with the defensive line and linebackers. Usually, the rotation moves one by one down the line. Lang, who will start at LG, went 2 for 3, stopping NTs Jay Ross and B.J. Raji and losing to NT Chris Donaldson.

The No. 1 offense and defense spent a lot of time on the field practicing against the scout team. A lot of the plays were redos of plays previously run during camp, and some of them were probably related to preparation for the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 8. The team won’t work on Indianapolis until the end of the week.

Former Packers GM Ron Wolf was in attendance. He usually comes over once or twice a summer to watch practice with GM Ted Thompson and his staff, most of whom he hired.

With Cobb out, WRs Chastin West and Kerry Taylor were the main punt returners. Also back were WRs Diondre Borel and Nelson.

SCHEDULE

There is one practice in full pads at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday. If it rains, practice will be inside the Don Hutson Center.